Tips for Public Speaking

Public speaking can be daunting for many people.  However, it is often necessary if you wish to get your ideas across. The following tips may be of help:

1. Join an organization such as toastmasters that helps you develop public speaking skills and a whole lot more. 
2. Remember your body language, keep your body relaxed. Any tension will "appear" in your voice. 
3. Don't cross your arms or look down at your audience. Crossed arms build a wall/division between you and the audience. 
4. Many people prefer not to use a podium, again the podium can be a barrier between you and the audience. 
5. Look at the audience...scan it frequently with you eyes. Talk to people, not over their heads. 
6. Dress comfortably and that is especially important for shoes. Don't pick presentation day to break in a new pair of shoes. 
7. Keep your hands out of your pockets. 
8. Women should avoid large gaudy jewellery, dangling earrings and low necklines.  You want people to listen to what you are saying...don't distract them 
9. Don't turn to face a powerpoint presentation, keep your face to your audience.  This is very easy to achieve if you have a laptop and it is in front of you.  You can use the laptop screen as your source and you know your audience is seeing the same thing on the screen(s). 
10. Smile, relax and enjoy. You know your topic. Strive to work from a minimum of notes. Reading isn't nearly as effective as talking. 

Practice, practice and more practice will make you more comfortable making presentations to small and large groups of people. Use the energy in the room and be in control